We are interested in innovations with potential to scale in 2 years, as well as game-changing early stage technologies and prototypes. Innovations can be business models, financial instruments, technologies and programs that accelerate research, education and capacity building.
Specifically, LAUNCH System: Fabric seeks innovations in:
- The materials of which fabrics are made with a focus on positive social and environmental impact:
Multi-purpose synthetic and
bio-synthetic materials.
bio-synthetic materials.
Smart and/or self-healing
materials.
materials.
Technical fabrics with novel or
surprising attributes.
surprising attributes.
Fabrics that efficiently and
effectively enable recycling.
effectively enable recycling.
Applications that eliminate
toxins in fabrics.
toxins in fabrics.
Low or positive environmental
impact “feedstocks.”
impact “feedstocks.”
Models that accelerate the
development of low or positive
environmental impact fabrics.
development of low or positive
environmental impact fabrics.
Data generation and capture
technologies and mechanisms
that enable traceability across
a product or fabric’s lifecycle.
technologies and mechanisms
that enable traceability across
a product or fabric’s lifecycle.
Decision support and educational
tools that guide positive impact
design and inform better choices
of chemistries and materials.
tools that guide positive impact
design and inform better choices
of chemistries and materials.
Open technology platforms to
enable sharing, collaboration,
contribution and unlimited
accessibility to data that improves
the analysis of sustainability
impacts and stimulates an open
data ecosystem.
enable sharing, collaboration,
contribution and unlimited
accessibility to data that improves
the analysis of sustainability
impacts and stimulates an open
data ecosystem.
- The “making” or manufacturing of fabrics utilizing low or positive environmental impact approaches, with a bias toward inclusive business models that positively develop human capital, respect rights and deliver shared value:
Solutions that increase energy,
water, and raw material efficiency
in the manufacturing process.
water, and raw material efficiency
in the manufacturing process.
Scalable innovative business
models that are sustainable
and equitable.
models that are sustainable
and equitable.
Programs that support local
Micro, Small and Medium
Enterprise inclusion across
the system of fabrics.
Micro, Small and Medium
Enterprise inclusion across
the system of fabrics.
Zero waste or closed loop
systems that eliminate waste
and create equitable,
empowered workforces.
systems that eliminate waste
and create equitable,
empowered workforces.
Solutions that put workers at the
heart of the innovation process.
heart of the innovation process.
Manufacturing processes that
reuse waste.
reuse waste.
Manufacturing processes and
technologies that enable
maximum conversion of
materials and minimum
consumption of natural
resources.
technologies that enable
maximum conversion of
materials and minimum
consumption of natural
resources.
Information and data exchanges
that build entrepreneurial
capacity & worker inclusion,
enabling greater participation
in value chains.
that build entrepreneurial
capacity & worker inclusion,
enabling greater participation
in value chains.
Data generation and capture
technologies and mechanisms to
increase transparency across the
value chain.
technologies and mechanisms to
increase transparency across the
value chain.
Please note that innovation submissions need only match one of the points of interest described above, although submissions that match multiple points are also welcome.
For more information on this challenge, download the LAUNCH SYSTEM: Fabric Challenge Statement (Full Version, PDF) or go to the challenge submission website. You do not have to be a US citizen to apply.
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